I play cards against sharks sometime. They have stronger memories than me, and I have a feeling they can measure timing tells with precision,

If I were able to obtain a time-keeping device, that vibrates every x seconds in my pocket, it would help me balance my timing. I've read it's not kosher to use outside devices and technology to aid play, but I don't think any of the players would mind.

i think you overestimate your opponent's abilities, and i don't think you want to become one of those morans that tanks for half a minute pre with aces/junk just for "timing tell" reasons

I'm thinking more for river decisions. I would also be able to keep tabs of how long other people are taking.

I don't see why anyone would have a problem with you having such a device in your pocket.

But I'll tell you what they will have a problem with, and you should absolutely not do regardless of stakes or toughness of competition.

Tank before folding a total trash hand UTG pre flop. Don't do that ever, under any circumstances. You're never ever going to do anything but fold 83o UTG preflop, so go ahead and do it right away, it won't mess with your timing tells at all, but it will prevent you from being justifiably murdered by everyone else at the table. And I do presume you'd prefer that not happen.

Also, it sounds like you are playing live poker, if that's the case, you don't need to worry about timing tells at all at lower stakes, trust me no one you're playing with will pick up on them at those stakes.

Frankly though, it seems like you feel a bit outclassed by most of your opponents, if that's the case balancing your timing is far from the first thing you should be focusing on improving.

I don't fake tank ever in person. If I'm taking a minute to decide something, even if it is to mimic when I have a weak holding, it still isn't fake and has definite purpose. I am considerate of etiquette.

Not cheating at all, but I think you should come up with a system that doesn't require an outside device for practicality.

I'm sure that players would look at you differently if they 'caught' you using this device.

Is it wrong? Well we use a clock when 'clock' is called so why can't you use one all the time? Why not just get a watch with an LCD second display? The idea that you are 'hiding' this in your pocket is what will bother most, not the fact that you are using it.

Shot clocks are being looked at in poker, but there's really nothing wrong with an insta-muck PF.

You are counteracting the 'tell' theory that it's not necessarily the action but the consistent result of the action that makes it a reliable tell. If you eliminate your opponents ability to read a timing tell then you don't have one. It's sound thinking but one that may get you a target put onto you .. and that's worse IMO. GL

1. trying to use an external device would add one more level of distraction. Instead, when faciong a decision, develop a repeatable cadence and a script that you run through, so that your timing is the same when you are weak and when you are strong. Note-I said do this when facing a decision. Folding 83o is not a decision, unless you have a monstrously large preflop game tree.

Regarding fake tanking, there is nothing wrong with doing this (to avoid giving away timing tells). If I flopped the nut flush, and I get reraised, I will tank a few moments to make it appear as if I am considering their holdings and what their bet means. I already know what I am going to do, but to act instantly would give away too much of my hand.

Just don't chronically tank over trivial decisions. When facing a bet, raise, or reraise, taking an occasional 10 seconds to consider your action is not going to bug anyone.

If there preflop game tree leads them to doing anything else but folding 83o, well then you know what, they can take all the time in the world they want to make their decisions because they are exactly who I want in my game all day, everyday.

there will always be 100 other things you should be concentrating on before you worry about something like this.

Don't hate just because my gametree is 18,000 times larger than yours.

just kidding of course.

I know this doesn't answer the question you asked, but see above.

Low stakes players (and frankly most higher stakes players) are not considering your bet timing at all in reading your hand. If you're not already a winning player, the device you mentioned may just add another layer of distraction.

In other words, don't worry about wall accents when the foundation is bowing.

i would invest nore in poker study, and other methods to play the hands against sharks, than tis device

I'm not sure I agree with you. There is usually something more pragmatic to study. A super high-roller regular sitting in front of a mirror studying his microexpressions COULD be wasting his time in lieu of using computer simulations and perfecting his ranges. That said, what he is doing is still proper and useful.

I remember Alex Jacob saying that betting patterns are what matters, not live tells. I happen to be a baseball fan, and the comparisons aren't dissimilar. In high level competition there are signs being given by players and coaches at all times in all situations. Watch how a veteran pitcher turns toward his infielders in between pitches and see if you can pickup a pattern on his pitch selection.

Just because I am not very good at poker doesn't mean I can't strive to be at certain skillsets. Timing matters.

What stakes you play TR? I didn't even knew you were playing cards.

Just fyi and you may already know this, but Jacobs is almost certainly talking about bet sizing patterns, not bet timing patterns. Bet sizing patterns are a HUGE tell, and absolutely worth studying and paying close attention to at the table.

I also see your point about becoming great at a specialized part of the game. However, I will emphasize again that almost no none at live poker is paying any attention to the timing of your bets, and wouldn't know what to do with that information even if they were. This is a case where what you're worried about is so specialized that it does take attention away from aspects of your game that will actually affect winning and losing.

It's not cheating it is just a bit silly. As long as you don't snapshove the nuts every single time you will be fine.

I disagree with this statement...

"I will emphasize again that almost no none at live poker is paying any attention to the timing of your bets, and wouldn't know what to do with that information even if they were."

live players are paying attention to broad timing tells such as quick calls, quick bets, tank raises etc... however i agree that using a timing device is a bit over the top... simply avoid making the broad timing tells...

I agree with Stormball 100 %. With every word. Just keep balancing your timing and you dont need a device ...
GL.

Use a watch. When play gets to you, look at second hand (or digital seconds) and pause 3-5 seconds before moving a muscle.

If you are looking for something more....than I believe you are overthinking the game and your opponents.

I would love to play against someone who thought using this kind of device was a good idea.